Bonked? Barfing? You're in the right place.

During the Boston Marathon, 1,300 medical professionals are responsible for the health of 26,500 runners. Most are stationed near the finish line at the main Medical Tent, considered one of the best in the industry. The staff is well prepared for any emergency, especially those resulting from extreme weather. In 2004, the hottest race in nearly 30 years, 86-degree temperatures resulted in 1200 heat-related illnesses. In 2007, a nor'easter produced wind, rain, and temps in the mid-40s that likely caused up to 200 more cases of hypothermia. Here's what a hurting runner can expect.

READY TO ROLLMarathoners finish the race on Boylston Street, near Copley Square. Beyond the finish line, 110 wheelchairs wait to take runners who need aid to nearby tents.

CHECK-IN, PLEASEOnce a runner's bib number is scanned into the system, triage begins. A triage nurse asks a series of questions—Have you vomited? Do you feel faint?—to determine the severity of the ailment. The runner is then taken to one of 20 stations, or pods, for medical care.

YOUR HOSTFor the past decade, John Andersen has refereed the action inside the tent. The eighth-grade science teacher gives orders over a loudspeaker, directing staff to where they're most needed.

GIVE BLOODWithin two minutes, a computerized blood analysis system can check the status of a runner's potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes.

HEART OF THE MATTERMore than two dozen advanced life-support monitors and defibril-lators are on hand. In 2008, three runners suffered nonfatal arrhythmias detected by the units.

EMERGENCY RELIEFSections 10 and 11 are ad-hoc intensive-care units. The most troubled runners—those vomiting, experiencing chest pains, or just not making sense at intake—go directly here. Two doctors and nine other medical staffers are on duty full-time.

ON THE DOUBLEAt least six ambulances wait outside the tent to transport critical runners to area hospitals.

BEDSIDE MANNERThe main tent is divided into 20 sections, each with at least one doctor and two nurses. Chris Troyanos, a certified athletic trainer and the race's medical coordinator, says the goal is to give runners the best care possible without overwhelming area hospitals. Here's how:

FIRST AIDUpon examination, medical teams take the runner's health history, check vitals, and determine a course of action. If a runner is suffering from dehydration and can't down fluids, a nurse will administer intravenous fluids.

FIGHTING THE ELEMENTSIn 2009, runners raced in 45-degree temperatures and winds gusting up to 20 miles per hour. To help combat serious cases of hypothermia, the tent staff uses small, electronic pumps that blow hot air beneath blankets.

MUSCLE RELIEFAfter 26.2 miles and Heartbreak Hill, the body could use some attention. APT is nearby to work out the aches and pain.

HEAD GAMESJeffrey Brown, Psy.D., a sports psychologist, roves the sections, assessing the mental health of runners.

IN STOCKEach section is equipped with rubber gloves, intravenous fluids, gauze, Gatorade, and bouillon, which is diluted in water and given to those suffering mild hyponatremia.

A DAY IN THE LIFEYou need a lot of stamina to run the Boston Marathon—and similar endurance to work the medical tent. In 2009, 928 patients received care in just seven hours. Here's how the patients stacked up.